Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Posts tagged ‘family’

Alacrity

Do you know this word?
Alacrity!

happy sportspeople of different ages preparing to run in forest
Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels.com

Alacrity = cheerful readiness

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

When I chose my word for 2023, “Ready”
back on January 1, 2023,
I did not know what I needed to be ready for.
But I told myself, “Whatever comes my way,
I will be cheerfully ready!”

This past week, we had the privilege
of hosting my niece,
her husband and 16-year-old son,
and her bff from Utah, Melissa.
And mid-way through their visit,
our son and his wife came for
3 days and 4 nights.
A house full!
Was I ready?

Yes! When your guests are happy, helpful, and relaxed, it’s easy to be cheerfully ready for them!

A day in Yellowstone was a highlight. We all were ready for the bubbling geysers and pools, bison and other animals. Old Faithful always was a hit!

Are you ready to visit Yellowstone? Are you ready to ooh and aaah?

That photo captured only about 1/4 of the herd. It was the largest group of bison mamas and their calves that I’ve ever seen!

We were ready to see the elk and deer 🦌 So, yes, they did not disappoint us! We even saw a black bear. Rare!

My grand-nephew, Liam and I were ready to have our memories of “Artist’s Point” captured by a kind tourist. It’s my favorite Yellowstone spot!

And the guys were more than pleasantly waiting with alacrity for their day of fishing on the Madison. Each of them caught at least one fish … some caught three. No, we didn’t have a fish fry! The Madison River has a “catch & release” policy.

What are you ready for today? I hope you’re anticipating it with alacrity!

Have a Marvelous Monday!

Live, laugh, love ❤️ JanBeek

Category:

Animals, Family, Fishing, friendship, learning, Love, Memories, Montana, nature, relationships, Travel

Tagged with:

Favorite Moment

Today’s writing prompt was:

Describe one of your favorite moments.

The dreary, cloudy, Saturday in February of 1962 that we chose to be married made the stained glass window in the University of the Pacific’s chapel rather dull in color. But the moment the UOP choir blessed our vows with “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” – at the top of the three fold amen (or was it a seven-fold? You need to listen!) ~ the sun came out!

That is my “Favorite Moment.”
It was definitely a
memorable,
beautiful,
defining moment
when God smiled down on us
and blessed our marriage.

God has certainly blessed this union!

Then, 25 yers later, out daughter, DeAna,
wore my wedding dress
and married her sweetheart, Andre’
in the same chapel.

Happy Father’s Day, Andre’ – – –
you and De produced
three delightful boys.
We are so blessed!

And our son, Ty married
his sweetheart, Monika,
a year later.
What a beautiful union that is!
They have given us four more grandchildren!

Happy Father’s Day to our son, Ty, too!

What is your most
“Favorite Moment”
????
Is it related to your wedding day
or an experience as a parent?

a man reading a book to his baby
Photo by nappy on Pexels.com

Tell me about it!
Have a Happy Father’s Day!

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

children, Family, Love, Memories, relationships

Tagged with:

Ah, Peace!

Absorb today’s peace
I’m sitting on the back porch
The wind chimes are still

Up high in the tree
A meadowlark sings to me
A good book awaits

Let company take the car
Have a raucous day
While here, peace abounds

Last night the whole gang
Enjoyed a lovely dinner
No dishes clean-up

Relatives and friends
Are sweet to come and visit
Enjoy catch-up time

Then come home to eat
Dessert on the patio
A cool, calm evening

And now let the calm
Of a peace-filled day alone
Refresh weary bones

Look carefully… see the double rainbow?

Let God’s promises
Reassure and relax you
Have a blessed day!

Genesis 9:12-13 
ESV

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”

John 16:33 
ESV

“I have said these things to you,
that in me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Wishes of Peace to you
from my son, Ty, and me.

God Bless You!
Let peace begin with us!
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, contentment, Faith, Family, God, Haiku, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, Montana, mountains, music, peace, Poetry, prayer, relationships

Tagged with:

New Great-Grandbaby

Yesterday our granddaughter
gave birth to our great-grandbaby #5,
a perfect little girl.
Hope and Drew named her Charlotte.
Don’t you love that name?

  • Psalms 127:3-5 3 Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.

Dear Baby Charlotte, this poem is for you:



Bob & I have two children, Ty & DeAna.
Also God blessed us with
a beautiful, smart, loving daughter-in-law, Monika,
and a clever, fun-loving, creative, talented son-in-law, Andre’

From those two children and their spouses
we have seven grandchildren
and now five great-grandchildren.

We feel so blessed to have lived long enough to
see our family expand in such a beautiful way.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

This is some of the California crew
two Christmases ago
before our granddaughter, Faith (in the white hat),
had our great-granddaughter, Mable.
But, you can see great-granddaughter, Cosette, in there.
Bob & I are on both sides of our
daughter-in-law, Monika.
Monika’s parents are behind us.
Our son, Ty, is at the back.
Only granddaughter, Hope,
the new mommy,
is missing here.
Also, missing are DeAna,
our daughter and her family…
they are in Switzerland.

That’s our oldest grandson, Mike, with his wife, Tania,
in Switzerland. We went last year to their wedding.
We are looking forward to their gift of great-grandchild #6!!

Here’s De, with her hubby, Andre’,
who is THE CHEF EXTRAORDINAIRE in their
chalet (hotel/restaurant).

We love going there to enjoy our daughter and her family (three boys) !!!


Let me know if you ever decide to travel to Switzerland.
I’ll put you in touch with this wonderful
Relais des Mélèzes.
(You can check out their facebook page, too).-
Just type that name in the search bar.

Here are Andre’ and our DollyWolly, DeAna.

Oh, and if you are blessed as much as we are,
you have adopted other “kids” to be part of your family, too.
Here is our dear Daughter #2, Lainalainalaina, with us!!

Yes, we are blessed indeed!
She is such a sweetheart…
and she has blessed us with two other granddaughters, as well.

Children are such a blessing.
Babies are such fun, aren’t they?
Are yours all baptized?


Here I am with DeDe.
Ah, what a sweetheart she is, too!

Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Aging Gracefully, Bible Lessons, blessings, children, Family, God, Gratitude, happiness, Living in Christ's Family, Love, Poetry

Tagged with:

Porcelain Dancers

Porcelain dancers –
Gift from Mom:
“You’re
forever
these!”

She gifted me
On my fortieth.

The Septolet is a poem consisting of seven lines containing fourteen words with a break anywhere in between the two parts. Both parts deal with the same thought and create a picture.

My porcelain girls are a 1979 gift from my mom for my 40th birthday. Created by German artist, Lorenz Hutschenreut, they are called “Ring Around the Rosie” – This 3 Girls May Day dance figurine is priceless to me!

Mom knitted my sweater,
fixed my hair,
arranged for the photographer,
captured our love
forever in this photo.

But, the real capture of love for me
was more than just in my childhood…
She continued to gift me
with her strength,
her optimism, and
her encouragement
for the rest of her life.

When I take out my dancing girls
and decorate the vase with flowers,
I am taken back to my fortieth,
back to my childhood,
back to time with Mom.

What a treasure!

Here Mom is with my sis, Sally, and me – – –
and my daughter, DeDe.
I like to think that
we three are the “Dancing Girls.”

Ah, such sweet memories!

Do you have a special item of some sort
that brings you back to your childhood?

Something that’s priceless to you
because of the memories packed into it?

Tell me about it.
Maybe try your hand at a septolet!

Hugs,
JanBeek

Category:

art, blessings, children, Family, flowers, Love, Memories, optimism, Poetry, relationships, writing

Tagged with:

We’re Back!!

Hello, Montana Sunrise

Hello beautiful sunrise from my dear North Carolina friend!

Hello Montana Snowdrifts!

Hello, dear friend, who walked over the 3’ drift to come say,
“I’m here to plow you out!”
(Oh my, look how the snow came in the front door!)
God bless our helpers!

Hello Daughter#2 back in Maryland.
Thank you for your love, hospitality,
transportation, and luscious food!
We miss you already.

Hello Lacey!
You’re such a lucky pup to have your
“People Grama” taking care of you
while your parents are on their honeymoon!

Hello Daughter#1…
So glad you’re back safely in Switzerland,
enjoying a luscious dinner with your hubby. 👍🏽

Hello PicNick!
Hey, DeDe,
How fun that your #2 son
came to visit and to show you
his new car!
Congratulations, Nicky
(my #2 grandson).
We’re so glad for you!!

Hello again, Lacey!
Yes, I know, you need attention!!

Hello Montana sunset!
Another day gone by,
and we are so grateful for clear skies,
for friends, neighbors, WP contacts and their comments,
and for our local chiropractor who helped relieve my body aches!

(That was my first visit in my 83 1/2 years
to see a chiropractor.
I wonder why
I waited so long!)

Have you ever been to one?

Whew! Feeling like an Angel just touched me!
I hope you’ve had a blessed day, too, my friends.

Bee 🐝 well- and free of pain!

See ya tomorrow.
Hah! It’s tomorrow already…
I forgot to click “Publish” on this one yesterday ;o(

Love ya,
JanBeek

Category:

Animals, blessings, Family, friendship, Gratitude, health, Life's Challenges, Love, Montana, nature, pets, relationships, Serving One Another

Tagged with:

Good to Go; Great to Return

Good to go
Appreciate the help
Airport Kindness

Montana State
Basketball Big Boys
Filled our plane

Arrived in Baltimore
safe and sound
;o)

Our daughters
Greeted & Treated us
We’re so blessed

Total Wine
A Fun Outing
Shared Libations

Reason to Travel
Beautiful Wedding
Adorable Couple

Love Thrives
Commitment Reigns
God bless ‘em

Party Begins
Family & Friends
There to Support
and to Congratulate

Mother of Bride
Wonderfully Talented
Sooo Generous

Thank You, Laina!!

A Day to Rest
“Mangia” & Enjoy
Visit Annapolis

Mmmm Seafood
Fresh & Tasty
What a Treat

Highly recommended
The Choptank
Sooo good

Beautiful Chapel
Annapolis Navy Academy
Wonderful Campus

Lovely Setting
On Chesapeake Bay
Blue Sky Day

(Meanwhile, it was -20 degrees
and snowing back in Montana!)

Back in Glen Burnie
Time to Relax
And Pack Suitcases

Yummy Breakfast
Greatest Hostess
Sweet Kitty


Time to Say Good-bye
Missing our Daughter #2
and her “Go-Go”

Car iced over
Roads icy, too
Scary Drive Home

(Appreciated the truck that led the way!)

Snowdrifts 4 feet high
Can’t get car in garage
But we’re tucked inside safely

Hooray!
God is good!!

(Thank you for the prayers
They worked
God bless you)

Can’t remember the last time I had lobster.
Can You? When and where?

This was such a treat!
I pigged out!

See ya tomorrow
Stay Warm

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

blessings, children, Family, food, friendship, God, Gratitude, kindness, Love, Montana, pets, prayer, relationships, Travel

Tagged with:

High and Dry

Here we are today
High and dry in Placerville
Grateful for the warmth

Looking at the storm
From inside a comfy house
Thanking God for life

Feeling very blessed
A good book and some coffee
Listening to rain

Shhh! Hear the raindrops fall.., Well, you can imagine it, can’t you?

Grateful for the warmth
And the hospitality
Of our sweet family

Praying that you, also
Are safe and feeling God’s peace
Ready for what comes

God bless you today
May you know you’re in His care
Never be afraid

Friends, stay high and dry
Rise above all of the storms
Secure and at peace

My beloved son, Ty, and me
Safe and secure from all alarm
God protect you from all harm

Have a blessed day.
I send you my love today.

Hugs,
JanBeek

Category:

blessings, contentment, Faith, Family, God, Gratitude, Haiku, Love, nature, peace, Poetry, prayer, relationships

Tagged with:

Are You Ready?

Hey, are you ready
For this twenty twenty-three
New for you and me

At Cannery Row
In lovely Monterey Bay
We had a great lunch

In the house next door
To where we are staying now
A huge tree fell down

It went through the roof
Destroying the entire house
Feeling so sorry

Morning in Carmel
Was sunny and beautiful
A break in the storm.

What beautiful friends
We shared a couple days with
Life’s full of blessings

We’re with Bob’s brother
At his home in Pebble Beach
Grateful no trees fell

Thankful for family
More than grateful for our friends
Pray for safe travels

Tomorrow we will
Return to our son, Ty’s place
Weather permitting

Hey, are you ready
For this twenty twenty-three
New for you and me?

I am!!

Happy Cheers, my friends!
See ya tomorrow – hopefully.

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Family, friendship, Gratitude, Love, Poetry, relationships, Travel, trees

Tagged with:

Let Us Celebrate!

Let us celebrate
Every reason and season
Thank God we’re alive!

It’s Bob’s 84th
We’re celebrating big time
With his brother, Bill

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels.com

Time to visit friends
Time to enjoy each other
Just let your light shine

Our great-granddaughters
Well… two of the three of them
Shine their light on us

Friends from long ago
Ignite the memory’s light
So blessed to see them

At that magic hour
On that very special day
With very dear friend

Bob’s known Monica
Since he was about fourth grade
She’s my high school friend

Time with Bob’s nephew
And wonderful wife, Sarah
So special, indeed!

Adorable pair
People we have loved so long
Welcomed our visit

Then we visited
Bob’s younger brother and Ann
So good to see them

Bob and I are blessed
With so much to celebrate
We hope you are, too

Let your light so shine
That others can feel its glow
Celebrate each day

Today, Bob’s birthday
We are feeling very loved
We hope you are, too

God bless Bill and Marge
They’re fixing us some meatballs
Bob’s birthday dinner

It smells delicious!!!
I’m outta here.. gonna eat
Happy New Year, Friends

Let Us Celebrate!
Love and hugs to you,
JanBeek

Category:

blessings, Christmas, Faith, Family, friendship, Gratitude, Haiku, holidays, Love, Poetry, relationships

Tagged with: